How to clean windows and glass

How to make your own vinegar-based window cleaner

If you’re out of your favourite brand, it’s so easy to make your own effective window cleaner with inexpensive ingredients.

Simply mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water with a drop of washing up liquid in a spray bottle, and voila: a cheap and cheerful homemade cleaner which can be used all over the home! From windows and glass to work surfaces and floors, you’ve just made yourself a brilliant value multi-purpose cleaner.

Tackle the frames first

It’s a good idea to clean your frames or windowsills before you tackle the glass.

A simple once-over with an antibacterial wipe is good for a standard clean, or you can give a deeper clean by using a cleaning spray and a damp cloth.

If there’s mould or mildew around the frame (which is fairly common in kitchens and bathrooms), use a purpose-made mould & mildew remover or a weak bleach solution to see it off.

How to clean windows & glass: a step-by-step guide

1. Rinse off any dust, cobwebs or other bits with some water
2. Spray your window cleaner all over the surface of the glass
3. Use a wet cloth to clean the glass in circular motions
4. To dry, use a microfibre cloth or (top tip) use some scrunched-up newspaper. This trick is wonderfully effective at reduced streaks on your windows and mirrors for a perfect finish

How to remove watermarks on glass

You’ve scrubbed your shower screen to within an inch of its life, and there’s still pesky water marks? Here’s how to remove them.

Spray on your glass cleaner and grab the 0000-grade wire wool. It may seem scary to use metal on your glass, but as long as you’ve got a really fine grade like this, it won’t scratch.

Rip off a small amount of wool and use it to scrub the glass, applying medium pressure in circular motions. Then, rinse off the glass and dry it with a microfibre cloth or newspaper.

Stand back and marvel at the results.

Top tip: keep a squeegee by your shower and encourage everyone to use it to wipe down the shower screen after use. This will keep watermarks at bay and makes it much easier to clean the glass in future.